Previewed at WWDC, launching in the fall.
AT&T Rep: Apple Has Told Us No New iPhone in June or July
While increasing numbers of reports are pointing to a later-than-usual introduction for the fifth-generation iPhone, potentially with an unveiling at Apple's traditional September iPod-focused event, some observers have still been holding out hope that Apple will launch the new device at its Worldwide Developers Conference in early June as it has done on a regular basis in recent years.
One MacRumors reader has, however, received word from an AT&T customer care representative that Apple has officially informed the carrier that there will be no new iPhone released in the usual June-July timeframe.
The disclosure came after the reader noticed that his eligibility date for a subsidized upgrade had been pushed back by over five months and contacted AT&T to inquire about the reason for the change. As part of a response outlining AT&T's criteria for determining upgrade eligibility dates, the agent reportedly offered the following statement as fact:
Apple has informed us that they do not plan to release the iPhone in the June to July timeframe, though there will be a newer version in the future. Unfortunately, we have not been given a release time for the new phone. We will release this information on our website when it is available to us.
We are always skeptical about such information shared by customer-facing representatives of Apple or associated companies, as those employees are essentially never provided with that level of information ahead of any official announcement. We feel, however, that due to the specific nature of the claim and its presentation in a matter-of-fact manner expressly citing Apple as the source of the information, the tidbit is worth sharing.Related Roundup: iPhone 6s
Tag: AT&T
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95 months ago
pfft, this should not be front page news, hell not even second page... just a bunch of hearsay from a CR that knows nothing about it and speculates BS.
95 months ago
Meh...
Disappointing, but expected. This actually brings up more questions than answers though:
1) Is this a permanent move to a Fall Release of the iPhone?
2) When, if ever, are they going to unite the CDMA and GSM iPhone releases (possibly in iPhone 5 with "World Chip")?
3) Does this affect the timing of iOS's release, which has traditionally been released with the new iPhone and has been centered around the iPhone's hardware?
4) The iPod touch has traditionally been released months after the iPhone. If the iPhone is released around Sept, will they release the iPod touch along with it?
Meh, I don't have an upgrade for 1.5 years, so it doesn't matter to me. But still interesting.
Disappointing, but expected. This actually brings up more questions than answers though:
1) Is this a permanent move to a Fall Release of the iPhone?
2) When, if ever, are they going to unite the CDMA and GSM iPhone releases (possibly in iPhone 5 with "World Chip")?
3) Does this affect the timing of iOS's release, which has traditionally been released with the new iPhone and has been centered around the iPhone's hardware?
4) The iPod touch has traditionally been released months after the iPhone. If the iPhone is released around Sept, will they release the iPod touch along with it?
Meh, I don't have an upgrade for 1.5 years, so it doesn't matter to me. But still interesting.
95 months ago
pfft, this should not be front page news, hell not even second page... just a bunch of hearsay from a CR that knows nothing about it and speculates BS.
Yes I agree, not sure why this makes the cut just because it was stated as fact?????
95 months ago
In the end, the reason why the iPhone 5 won't come out until this fall comes down to the this: the Great East Japan Earthquake that seriously affected the high-tech companies in the Sendai area.
Because so many high-precision computer parts are made in the Sendai region, this has interrupted production of the iPad 2 (despite Apple's claims, in my humble opinion!) and also has made it harder for Apple to obtain the components for the upcoming iPhone 5.
As such, Apple is using the delay to do two, possibly three things:
1. Give more time for the iOS programming team to polish and get ready iOS 5.0, which may have a major interface revamp. (likely already done)
2. Gives time for the iPhone hardware engineers to incorporate the near-field communications (NFC) functionality for phone-based payment systems, including full compatibility with the Sony FeliCa system that is widely used in eastern Asia. (now likely to be done with the extra time afforded by a fall release of the iPhone 5).
3. Gives time for the iPhone hardware engineers to full incorporate the latest Broadcom or Qualcomm cellphone chipset so a single-design phone is fully GSM and CDMA compatible now and be ready for LTE by an update downloaded through iTunes. (likely already done)
Because so many high-precision computer parts are made in the Sendai region, this has interrupted production of the iPad 2 (despite Apple's claims, in my humble opinion!) and also has made it harder for Apple to obtain the components for the upcoming iPhone 5.
As such, Apple is using the delay to do two, possibly three things:
1. Give more time for the iOS programming team to polish and get ready iOS 5.0, which may have a major interface revamp. (likely already done)
2. Gives time for the iPhone hardware engineers to incorporate the near-field communications (NFC) functionality for phone-based payment systems, including full compatibility with the Sony FeliCa system that is widely used in eastern Asia. (now likely to be done with the extra time afforded by a fall release of the iPhone 5).
3. Gives time for the iPhone hardware engineers to full incorporate the latest Broadcom or Qualcomm cellphone chipset so a single-design phone is fully GSM and CDMA compatible now and be ready for LTE by an update downloaded through iTunes. (likely already done)
95 months ago
I love the design of the iPhone 4 and love the screen. Why not just go with a Mac-like update routine, where you throw in a newer, faster processor as soon as one is available? The yearly iPhone reveal may be great for media coverage, but it's unrealistic when the Android gang releases a new device every 7 hours.
Except that Mac's don't get an update as soon as a new processor is available either.
95 months ago
Bunch of lying crap. My upgrade date hasn't "moved" as this lying reader claims happened to him, it is still 6/19/2011. Every year my upgrade date coincides very closely with the release of the new iPhone. AT&T isn't going to just push my date back (a date I earn by paying a lot every month) because there is no new iPhone in June. So this guy is confusing two separate issues in order to get his BS story out. Maybe the rep said that, maybe he didn't, but he has absolutely no info from Apple, because Apple would never ever ever ever make such a statement to AT&T.
95 months ago
This news raises all sorts of questions:
1) When will the iPhone 5 actually be released?
2) Should I go to Chipotle for lunch?
1) When will the iPhone 5 actually be released?
2) Should I go to Chipotle for lunch?
95 months ago
A real live AT&T customer care rep! Well that is as official as it gets. Everyone knows that Apple always informs carrier customer care reps of their future plans months in advance...
Oh Wait. I heard from the Cinnabon guy that the US Government called him and officially informed him that Osama Bin Laden is still alive and being held in a secret chamber below Disney World or Disney Land.
Oh Wait. I heard from the Cinnabon guy that the US Government called him and officially informed him that Osama Bin Laden is still alive and being held in a secret chamber below Disney World or Disney Land.
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